Hot Picks

- Ready for My Close Up 2019

- Talk of the Dead 2016

- Tower Rats 2020

- Script of the Dead 2024

- The Bell Affair 2023

- Easter Bloody Easter 2024

- Velma 2022

- Everwinter Night 2023

- Main Character Energy 2023

- Stupid Games 2024

- Bittertooth 2023

- 4 Minutes of Terror: Night Slasher 2024

- Apart 2024

- The Abandoned 2006

- Becky 2024

- The Evil Fairy Queen 2024

- The Black Guelph 2022

- Followers 2024

- Silence of the Prey 2024

- Battle for the Western Front 2024

- Beware the Boogeyman 2024

- Subject 101 2022

- Driftwood 2023

- The Legend of Lake Hollow 2024

- Black Mass 2023

- Skinwalkers: American Werewolves 2 2023

- The Manifestation 2024

- Spirit Riser 2024

- Garden of Souls 2019

- It's a Wonderful Slice 2024

- Caleb & Sarah 2024

- The Thousand Steps 2020

- The Desiring 2021

- When a Stranger Knocks 2024

- Quint-essentially Irish 2024

- Son of Gacy 2024

- Saltville 2024

- The True Story of the Christ's Return 2024

- Whenever I'm Alone with You 2023

- Jurassic Triangle 2024

- Midnight Peepshow 2022

- Offworld: Alien Planet 2024

- The Swiss Conspiracy 1976

- Sex-Positive 2024

- Here for Blood 2022

- All Over Again 2024

- The Color Yellow 2023

- Des Töchterleins Leid 2024

- I Am a Channel 2024

- The Hermits 2023

- Murdaritaville 2024

- Inheritance 2024

- The Devil's Partner 1960

- First Impressions Can Kill 2017

- A Killer Conversation 2014

- Star Crash 1979

- Strangler of the Swamp 1946

An Interview with Mariah Johnson, Star of Dr. Ella Mental's Mad Lab Picture Show: A Budderboddom Xmas

by Mike Haberfelner

April 2014

Films starring Mariah Johnson on (re)Search my Trash

 

Quick Links

Abbott & Costello

The Addams Family

Alice in Wonderland

Arsène Lupin

Batman

Bigfoot

Black Emanuelle

Bomba the Jungle Boy

Bowery Boys

Bulldog Drummond

Captain America

Charlie Chan

Cinderella

Deerslayer

Dick Tracy

Dr. Mabuse

Dr. Orloff

Doctor Who

Dracula

Edgar Wallace made in Germany

Elizabeth Bathory

Emmanuelle

Fantomas

Flash Gordon

Frankenstein

Frankie & Annette Beach Party movies

Freddy Krueger

Fu Manchu

Fuzzy

Gamera

Godzilla

Hercules

El Hombre Lobo

Incredible Hulk

Jack the Ripper

James Bond

Jekyll and Hyde

Jerry Cotton

Jungle Jim

Justine

Kekko Kamen

King Kong

Laurel and Hardy

Lemmy Caution

Lobo

Lone Wolf and Cub

Lupin III

Maciste

Marx Brothers

Miss Marple

Mr. Moto

Mister Wong

Mothra

The Munsters

Nick Carter

OSS 117

Phantom of the Opera

Philip Marlowe

Philo Vance

Quatermass

Robin Hood

The Saint

Santa Claus

El Santo

Schoolgirl Report

The Shadow

Sherlock Holmes

Spider-Man

Star Trek

Sukeban Deka

Superman

Tarzan

Three Mesquiteers

Three Musketeers

Three Stooges

Three Supermen

Winnetou

Wizard of Oz

Wolf Man

Wonder Woman

Yojimbo

Zatoichi

Zorro

Your Dr. Ella Mental's Mad Lab Picture Show: A Budderboddom Xmas - in a few words, what is it about?

 

This show is essentially about a kooky mad scientist, Dr. Ella Mental, who is trying to make a snowman come to life, and while she figures out how to do so, she also hosts us through an “educational film” as she likes to put it, the 1972 film Silent Night, Bloody Night. In her crazy preparation for her experiment she has to overcome several obstacles like her alter ego Hydie, and Gruber the Sorcerer. But along with her two sidekicks, Roscoe and Mr. Butterbottom she learns what the magic of Christmas can do.

 

What can you tell us about shooting the show as such, and the on-set atmosphere?

 

We shot the movie in one day. The environment on set is so much fun and very relaxed. Our crew is like one big family. We had hot apple cider and home cooked chili and spent the day laughing and making magic.

 

How was Dr. Ella Mental conceived in the first place, and did you have any creative input on the conception?

 

My husband Johnny Johnson [John Johnson interview - click here] and I had been mulling over the idea of creating a horror host character for some time. He really left it up to me to make the final decision on who I wanted her to be. I knew I wanted to play a mad scientist of sorts and really like the Jekyll and Hyde theme, which would allow me two different characters to play with. The overly enthusiastic Barbie, and the sadistic deep voiced mistress. I think the Dr. Ella Mental name was the hardest part for me to decide in the end. One funny little part of her character is she gets hiccups when she gets flustered, that causes her to take her special potion which inevitably turns her into Hyde. I took the hiccup concept from my own life because I have these bizarre hiccups every hour for the last 6 years, and I have seen many doctors to try and find out why, but they can’t explain it. It’s nothing serious, just my own weird little quirk, so I choose to use it and add it to Ella’s persona.

 

Dr. Ella Mental-shows seem to have been made very much in the spirit of kiddie-shows - so do you consciously base your performance on presenters of those, and anything else you draw upon to bring Ella to life?

 

I think a big influence in The Mad Lad Picture Show is Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Growing up as a child in the 80’s you could not help but to love that show. It had such an influence on me as a small child. It was wacky, fun, educational, with puppets and crazy visitors, truly something you can go back and watch now and it still holds up. I feel like it was an adult kid’s show in some ways. We wanted to put that same vibe into Dr. Ella Mental’s show. We wanted it to be goofy, but very adult. I think it gives it a very different element that I haven’t seen much of recently. I am also a huge fan of Lucile Ball and as a kid I watched I Love Lucy all the time. I added a bit of her quirkiness to Ella’s character.

 

Hydie

Dr. Ella Mental's alter ego Hydie - how liberating is it to play her, and between her and the good doctor, whom do you like to play more, and who do you think you've got more in common with, personally?

 

I really enjoy playing Hydie. She is so raunchy and does not give one fuck about anyone but herself. I think I have more in common with Ella but sometimes wish I could be more like Hydie.

 

How much of a Dr. Ella Mental-show is actually scripted, how much improvised?

 

Most all of it is scripted. Mr. Butter Bottom’s dialogue in the script usually just says “gibberish”, so we never know what he is actually going to do, which is fun. If someone has an idea to change or add something on set, that happens, but not too often.

 

In the Dr. Ella Mental-shows you are usually pitted against a duck handpuppet and an imbecile (and I'm sorry for not finding a more political correct expression) - so how hard is it to not break out in laughter all the time?

 

Oh we break all the time! And that’s what's so great about it! Jarod Kearney who plays Mr. Budderboddom is especially hard to be straight around. He will just pull out props from his coat and start singing, and of course we have no clue it’s coming in the shot so we all bust up. The Duck Roscoe, played by Talon Borelli, is the voice of reason and always cracks us up with his dry deliveries of his lines.

 

Jay Barber, Mariah, Jarod Kearney

and Talon James Borrelli as the handpuppet

To what extent can you correspond with the humour of Dr. Ella Mental, and would you consider yourself a humourous person?

 

Well, I keep in company with a lot of funny people and I hope that is has rubbed off on me over the years. I will say that I am not afraid of being silly or looking stupid which I think helps free me up from over-thinking things and allows me to be more funny. My humor in particular is very goofy, silly, and a little dirty. I have been known to even shock the boys with some of the things that come out of my mouth. Timing is something I have had to learn over the years. When to make a face and how to deliver a line is something I will forever be working on and perfecting in comedy.

 

The Dr. Ella Mental-shows are directed by your husband John Johnson [John Johnson interview - click here] - so what's your collaboration usually like?

 

John and I work so well together and we love what we do. He has such a vision and passion that inspires everyone around him, including me. We are a great team and feed off of each other’s strengths and are not afraid to tell one another when something does not work. We listen, we debate, we laugh, and we believe in what we do. I can’t ask for a better partner in crime!

 

Any future Dr. Ella Mental-adventures on the horizon?

 

We hope to do many more projects with Dr. Ella Mental!  Nothing has been written out as of yet but we will definitely be doing a couple of more films with her this year!

 

Your usual field of expertise is special effects and makeup - so was Dr. Ella Mental your first excursion into acting? And how much do you enjoy the experience?

 

Yes, practical makeup and effects is what I primarily focus on. It’s become my passion. Acting is something I defiantly tried when I was younger and it really didn’t click until now. I think my experience of being on so many sets and being behind the camera as crew has reduced my fear of being in front of the camera, therefore making me more comfortable with my choices and not afraid to give it my all. My first acting excursion on film was on one of John’s film’s called Alucard, a retelling of Dracula, and I played Lucy Westenra. It’s actually where I met John and it was one of the best experiences! My life was never the same again! That was about 11 years ago now! I really enjoy character acting and really transforming into someone else for a role.

 

Mariah has just done FX-work on Camille Keaton on Deadlines

Speaking of special effects and makeup - do talk about your company Bio Duck FX for a bit!

 

My company Bio Duck FX started in 2008. I wanted to pursue a career in makeup and I wanted it to be more than just my name on the sign. I wanted to create a business that could encompass a team of creative people who want to make movie magic. The name is strange, but that’s why I like it. Bet ya there is no one else out there with my company’s name! J

 

How did you get into effects-work to begin with, and did you receive any training on the subject?

 

I have always been an artist from a very young age; from sketching to sculpting I loved it. I fell into the special effects world by way of a filmmaker who was making a movie and in need of a SFX artist but couldn’t afford one. I volunteered, and had a friend who went to school for SFX show me how to cheaply do a body burn, and it worked very well!  I fell in love the whole process on that set and haven’t looked back. I am self taught and am always learning new techniques and about new products. This line of work never gets old!  

 

Actresses, special effects wizards, whatever else who inspire you?

 

SFX – The KNB guys, especially Nicotero. Rick Baker, Jack Pierce, and Lon Chaney as well!  So many great artists but those are my top 4.

The artist Brian Froud as well!  I always loved his art and creature concepts.

And BATMAN.

 

Your favourite movies?

 

Feeling lucky?
Want to
search
any of my partnershops yourself
for more, better results?
(commissions earned)

The links below
will take you
just there!!!

Find Mariah Johnson
at the amazons ...

USA  amazon.com

Great Britain (a.k.a. the United Kingdom)  amazon.co.uk

Germany (East AND West)  amazon.de

Looking for imports?
Find Mariah Johnson here ...

Thailand  eThaiCD.com
Your shop for all things Thai

Something naughty?
(Must be over 18 to go there!)

x-rated  find Mariah Johnson at adultvideouniverse.com

Labyrinth, Tim Burton’s Batman, Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, and Star Wars (6).

Also have a weakness for a good milkshake and watching the Hellraiser movies.

 

... and of course, films you really deplore?

 

Okay… I am going to say this…I am a huge Batman fan, I even read comics. But I have to admit that I hated the latest movie, The Dark Knight Rises. I just…. it really disappointed me, I have not forgiven it yet.

Also, the Twilight-movies. Wft… I never have watched one all the way through just cause I got so bored.

 

Your/your movie's/your company's website, Facebook, whatever else?

 

https://www.facebook.com/DrEllaMental

https://www.facebook.com/bioduckfx

www.bioduckfx.com

 

Anything else you are dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?

 

My favorite food is nachos J

 

Thanks for the interview!

 

© by Mike Haberfelner


Legal note: (re)Search my Trash cannot
and shall not be held responsible for
content of sites from a third party.




Thanks for watching !!!



 

 

In times of uncertainty of a possible zombie outbreak, a woman has to decide between two men - only one of them's one of the undead.

 

There's No Such Thing as Zombies
starring
Luana Ribeira, Rudy Barrow and Rami Hilmi
special appearances by
Debra Lamb and Lynn Lowry

 

directed by
Eddie Bammeke

written by
Michael Haberfelner

produced by
Michael Haberfelner, Luana Ribeira and Eddie Bammeke

 

now streaming at

Amazon

Amazon UK

Vimeo

 

 

 

Robots and rats,
demons and potholes,
cuddly toys and
shopping mall Santas,
love and death and everything in between,
Tales to Chill
Your Bones to

is all of that.

 

Tales to Chill
Your Bones to
-
a collection of short stories and mini-plays
ranging from the horrific to the darkly humourous,
from the post-apocalyptic
to the weirdly romantic,
tales that will give you a chill and maybe a chuckle, all thought up by
the twisted mind of
screenwriter and film reviewer
Michael Haberfelner.

 

Tales to Chill
Your Bones to

the new anthology by
Michael Haberfelner

 

Out now from
Amazon!!!